WTB...VIOLIN

[derf]

imho ,
i used to be in the instrument rental / repair business ...(as the disclaimer)
if it isn't a full sized ( actually a 4/4 size ) and it being for an 8 year old i would rent .
ok , a 1/2 or a 3/4 size violin isn't worth the money to buy one ! the kid is going to outgrow it !! .. so rent one , just make sure you can 'trade up to a larger size when you need to and make sure you can get out of the lease if the kid doesn't like it ...
if you buy one and the kid tires of it or doesn't like it you will never get your money out of it .
yea some one is going to say" renting is just pissing your money away " but as i said i was in the business i've seen what happens when you buy one ..
whatever you do don't buy one at a yard sale or a pawn shop unless you know what you are looking at !!

[milo]

thanx guys ,derf ,I might just go that rte thanx

[Gloucester2]

Milo - the first time ya kid gets beat up for playing the violin he'll never touch it again


All kidding aside - both my boys went through it (required as part of musical course) about the same age and my wife rented 'em. One word of caution (Derf might weigh in here) a friend of her's kid damaged a rented instrument and it cost a fortune to repair . . . there may be an "insurance option" that you might consider if your guy is prone that way otherwise just make sure you keep tabs on it.

[derf]

One word of caution (Derf might weigh in here) a friend of her's kid damaged a rented instrument and it cost a fortune to repair . . . there may be an "insurance option"

it depends on the 'shop' you rent from . some offer insurance , some don't ..
if they do offer; it get !! repairs can get really expensive fast ....
and on student violins they aren't really worth repairing .....